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The Linkfilter FAQ
Q: What is linkfilter? Linkfilter is just what the name implies, a link filter. All links are posted and moderated by users. The links can be ranked on several levels: clicks, votes, age, or a combination of all three called points. Q: What are all these stats? Each link carries some stats with it so that it can be ranked.
Q: How can I check on the stats of my link? Besides, looking straight at the link box, you can check on the stats of your link, i.e. how many hits per 90 days, and what the breakdown of the voting was for you link, by clicking on the little graph icon at the bottom of the link box next to the little memo pad for editing your link. Q: How are a links points figured? The idea behind points is to show in one list what is hot, new and active overall. The system has changed a few times, and will likely change again, but for now it's like so:
Q: What makes a good link?
A good link is one that grabs the interest of anyone who visits Linkfilter. Obviously, you can't please everybody, but it is recommended for you to put some thought into what you are posting before you post it. For Instance, Nature lovers may want a link to the ever classic documentary on the dung beetle, while sci-fi fans may want to read the latest news on the Star Wars franchise. A good non-sequitor piece of news is always welcome and current events, such as politics or who got convicted of what, this week, is a good, quick read that may get discussions going in your link's comment section or in the chatter, much lower, on the page. It is highly recommended that you do a search for your URL before you post, as there have been an awful lot of reposts, lately, due to people not checking on this before posting. If you repost, your post will be deleted. AntiMusick is highly skilled in catching reposts and will certainly let you know if you do.
Q: What is considered "Not Safe For Work?" For level 5 and up, you may begin posting links that may be categorized as "Not Safe For Work." There is a little check box for this at the bottom of the contribute a link page that you can check off if your link contains anything that would be considered inappropriate for the work place, i.e. nudity, massive carnage, blood and guts and chronic swearing. It is up to you to decide if it is not safe for work. If you do not list it as Not safe for work and it is really not safe for work, the admins will admin your link and stick the not safe for work label on it. Q: How do I post a links/comments?
In order to post a link or comment you have to have an account and
enough CP. Links cost 5 CP for the first link, 10 CP for the second link, 15 CP for the third, etc. The cost of contributing a link exponentially increases the more you contribute. You need to come up with an appropriately descriptive title for your link as well as a proper description for your link to grab the interest of the other linkfilter users. You must select a category for your link from the pop-down window. This aids in the LF user when searching for links of a certain type. After submitting, you will be brought automatically to the Preview window, where you can double check for typos. Try to do a search, first, for your link to see if it has already been posted before. If you submit a repost, it will be deleted. There is also a result of matching "like" links available for your viewing pleasure, to aid in your search, on the Preview page.
Q: How do I format my comments, journals and link descriptions? Keep in mind, if you want to format your comments and links, you will need to use html tags, like B, I, EM, STRONG, BLOCKQUOTE, PRE, BR, P, ADDRESS, CITE, CODE, TT. Q: How do I insert an image into my comments and journals? At level 11 and higher, you may insert a picture, using the <img src="URL"> tag. Q: What happens when I do a new comment scan and there are no oomments and it asks if you want to post one. Where does it go? Ever see that title on a comment, called Attached to Forum? That is where your general comments go when they aren't under any particular link or journal or any other category. It is the no mans land of comments. These are the little guys that never fit in, but never fear. There are many comments like this to keep them company and since they show up in the new comment scans, people will get to view them. Q: What is a good comment? Put in your two sense, but try to put a little thought into what you say. Don't just say "You suck!" and not back it up.. Somebody took the time to post that link and you are taking the time to comment, so try to say something that is pertinent to the link that was posted. Q: How do I get a CP refund on a link? A CP refund depends solely on high votes from other users. If a link gets rated a 7 or higher with at least 4 votes, the poster gets their CP back. Q: Ahh HAH!!!! So I can just vote on my own link and get more points, yeah? MEEEP! No, sucker. You cannot vote on your own links. That is the point of making an enticing title and description for your link. So you can get other users to want to vote on your link so that you can get your points back. Q: How do I get to the General Forum? Click Here for the General Forum Q: I screwed up when posting a link!! How do I fix it!! If you still managed to make a mistake, even after using the handy preview button, you can click the little memo pad at the bottom of the link box and edit away. Q: Is there a shortcut to bookmark any link I like? Yes. Click on the cute diskette or bookmark icon (depending on the skin) at the bottom of the link box to quickly bookmark any link you wish to return to later. This avoids messy searches, later, when you can't remember that the link was called or what it was about, but you knew you just had to go back to it, later. Q: What the heck are you talking about?
Below, is a diagram, explaining what each thing does or stands for in the link box.
CP stands for contribution points. They keep one user from hogging the whole site on any given day. Each night all the users have their CP reset according to their experience level. If you are trying to post a link and have run out, just save it until tomorrow. For the LF addicts, CP resets at midnight PST every night. XP stands for experience points. It reflects a users activity on linkfilter. The more links and comments you post the more XP you'll get. With XP comes higher levels, more CP and abilities. See the table below.
Q: What is a new comment scan? A new comment scan is a compiled listing of new comments, all on one page. Check these often, as they do build up. Once you have done the new comment scan, you cannot go to that exact lineup of comments again. It clears the slate. So, the next comment scan will be those comments that happened since you did the last comment scan. So, if you want to comment on something in mid-comment scan, it is wise to look at all the comments first, and then do the comment scan, as you won't be able to go back to that page. Also, when you want to reply to a comment in the new comment scan, right-click on the speaker/voice bubble and open in a new window. Another trick if you accidently lose the new comment scan is to edit the URL. http://linkfilter.net/?s=c&since=20030110 is comments posted since 1-10-2003. Q: How powerful is the logout button, really? The logout button is so powerful, that if you hit that button only once, it will log the user out from absolutely every computer you have ever logged into. If you ever forget your password, please email justin@jplt.com to get it back. Q: Where are the preferences and what all can you find there?
The Preferences are very useful and are located by the logout button, in most skins. Once you have entered the wonderful world of preferences,
you can customize your linkfilter experience. On this page, you will be able to:
Q: Where can I check on my user stats, i.e. XP, CP, my user powers, my last 30 days of comments and links, etc.?
Any time you see a users name that is a link it'll take you to the users page.
So you can get there from a link, comment, poll, or journal as well as from the top users page.
Clicking on your name will take you to a page that lists:
Q: How can I check on all the other users' statistics? Click on the Top Users box, to the left of your screen and click on the Top Users title and it will take you to a page, that lists the user name, how many links they submittedm how many comments they submitted, how many XP they have earned, how many CP they get per day and what level they are at. Q: What is an avatar? An avatar is the personal picture for you, the user. Once chosen, it will appear next to every link you post. You can select this from a collection of images in the Preferences page. If you don't like anything that you see and have something in the exact specifications deemed by glitch, please email it to eric for consideration. Don't forget. Here is the cool part. Avatars are one-per-user, Meaning, whichever avatar you choose is solely yours. You can chose your avatar once you get up to level 7! You can choose the way you want linkfilter to look by choosing a skin. Just click change skin and choose the one you want. There aren't many yet, but more are on the way. If you're interested in making one e-mail me. A good skin could be worth a truckload of experience. Spiders and robots can use skins too. If you're intersted in putting linkfilter links on your site check out the XML and plain skin. Q: Is there an XML (RSS 0.9) version? A plain version? Yes, both. You can use the skins feature to put linkfilter links on your site or use linkfilter in your XML-enabled application. It's very simple, just take a query that you would like to use and add a 'skin=xml' or 'skin=plain' to it. Here's some examples:
Q: What's this "Search URL" field on the link post/edit form?
Q: I tried to add a search, but the URL didn't have a question-mark or the word linkfilter in it. The site you're trying to add the search from may be using a POST form rather than a GET form. This means that the things you've typed into the form's fields are hidden from the browser. If you know some HTML, you can view the source and piece the fields together and make your own GET URL. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, e-mail me and I'd be happy to help you out. Q: Can I say anything in my journal? Yes you can, within reason. It is your online diary, if you so choose. Just realize that users have the ability to read and comment on your journal, so if it is really personal and you don't want anyone to read or comment on it, don't post it. You have the ability to edit your journals if you find a problem with it. That should be located at the bottom of your posted journal. Usually a memo pad looking icon. When users comment on your journal, you get 25 points. Journals are for level 15 and higher. Q: Can I post anything in my poll? Yes! This is a good way to find out what your fellow LFers are thinking on whatever topic you deem fit for a poll. Past polls include: What is your favorite Link Filter Skin. What is your favorite TV show from 1983. What New Years Resolution did you make this year? etc... Be creative and don't forget to consider using the word Other as the very last choice, to generate comments for your poll. When users comment on your poll, you get 25points. Polls can be posted at level 13 and higher. Q: What cool things can you do in the chatter?
Basic rules of chatter. Have fun. Verbally drool if you want. Just be nice to each other. Don't be calling anyone any bad names out of anger or frustration, unless you are old friends and it is ok to cuss each other out. The chatter is like a common lounge for everyone. You can talk to some people and not others, or talk to everyone. Just don't be mean to each other. No exceptions.
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